Comments on: Bike Gear and Clothing Recommendations for Commuting in the Rain

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:50:46 +0000

JMH,
For another perspective: if riding your bike is helping to eliminate a car in your life, then you likely saving $200 to $300 per month on car expenses (AAA’s official estimate for auto expenses is much higher). So a few “luxury” items for cycling are easily justified from the savings…or even an additional bicycle. If they keep you out cycling in more situations, they will pay for themselves.

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:40:09 +0000

JHM, For the cost of the Outlier pants, you can buy about six pairs of Haggar's Cool 18 pants (sometimes available physically from JCPenney). They do a good job of blocking wind, are somewhat water resistant and have thus far not attracted chain grease either. I have two pairs. In the winter I wear tights under them to make them a year-round pant. I bought them based on experience with a pair of dress pants I bought at Goodwill and wore for everything from bike tours to wedding receptions, and yet never picked up any chain grease. The fabric turned to be a "microfiber polyester", which is also what the Haggar pants are made of. I also have a pair of "Beyond Clothing" pants that cost as much as the Outlier pants are made with similar high-tech fabrics and treatments. Most of the time, the Haggar dress pants work just as well.

By: JHM

JHM — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:30:22 +0000

Now, I know these things are expensive and there is certainly a lot of hipster representation on the website, but I've seen their pants in person and they are incredible. They can handle chicago winter and salt and that's really all you need to know. They have a nanotech treatment that's built into the cloth. (I saw someone rub ketchup and mustard all over them and then rinse it all off with half a glass of water.) Anyway, they're on my very short X-mas list and I think they'd be a good buy for any randoneur with a day job. Check them out at http://outlier.cc/

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:42:15 +0000

Dave,
I haven’t tried a rain cape, or even seen one in person. They seem like a neat idea that I’m interested to try.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:08:58 +0000

Ever try a rain cape? biggest obstacles are the need for really good fenders with flaps and not mounting lighting to handle bars but lower to front tube or forks. Works very well unless the wind really whips up, but still manageable. At least I do not get wet from rain nor sweat any more.

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:54:51 +0000

It’s true Beyond pants are pricing. The cost can easily be justified as part of a car-replacement plan, but while they are very nice, they not miracle pants. The soft-shell design is comfortable, but they still get wet in heavy rain.
So I would just as often choose a lightweight wool dress pants now, which are warm when wet, and black ones don’t show wet spots much. Plus, they look exactly like dress pants.
I wear my micro-fiber dress pants when for moderate temperatures, or for sun protection. They don’t claim to be warm-when-wet, but they are lightweight and dry quickly if I haven’t been totally soaked.

By: theboy

theboy — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:36:22 +0000

Thanks. I had never heard of Beyond until you mentioned them. I see why they fit your purpose (and mine) a bit better. But – wow – they are pricey. Not saying they’re not worth it, just saying that they are too much for me.
I’m thinking of taking some simple shell pants and sewing in a knee section to make them longer and less binding.

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:27:21 +0000

I don’t wear them anymore. The fabric and construction quality was fine, but the fit and style ended being unfortunate. The legs were too long and the elastic waist and leg bands screamed “sports clothes!” along with the built-in reflective stripes.
Lately, I’ve worn my not-very-special micro-fiber polyester dress pants in the rain. They look normal and dry quickly, and I can wear wool tights under them if it’s cool.
I also have a pair of pants from Beyond Clothing which are very similar to the material in the Foxwear pants, but they approach looking like normal dress pants, so I can wear them on rainy rides to work without the certainty that I’ll need to change when I arrive.

By: theboy

theboy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:33:01 +0000

Hi:
I’m wondering how the Foxwear pants held up?
Thanks.